Wills of the Hamers

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SLAVE OWNERS IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND BRISTOL, 1834 ABOLITION OF

SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT COMPENSATION

 William Attwick Hamer (Lansdowne Crescent): 456 slaves in British Guiana and £22, 846 1s 1d

 

Source:

 http://radicalstroud.co.uk/slave-owners-in-gloucestershire-and/

 Will of William Attwick Hamer

This is an ongoing Transcription of the Will,  ( I am unable to read some of the text as it is in the old english handwriting)

 

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This is the last will and testament of one William Attwick Hamer of Cheltenham in the county of Gloucester Esquire in the first place I first   I direct all my just debts….functal/several and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied as soon as can be after my decease I give and bequeath unto the Orphan Chamber of the united Colony of Demarara and Esquibo the sum of one Hundred guilders Demarara…… in order and to ….intact to prevent the said Orphan Chamber from having any jurisdiction over or interfering in any way with my ….or personal estate or effects also I give and bequeath the sum of five pounds sterling to each of the following persons(now respectively apprentices on the Estate or plantation of Mon Repos herein after with issues) that is to say to my old Nurse Margaret to Myrtilla the housekeeper to Jane or Jack her daughter and to Harriet Hamers Ophelia and David in order to enable them respectively to b.. inoc……..and I desire these several legacies of five

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pounds each to be paid or remitted to the said apprentices within six months next after my death also I herby give and bequeath unto my dear wife ,Hannah Hamer her executors administrators and assigns absolutely subject ……… to and charged with the payment of my said debts and the before mentioned expences and legacies all other costs which may be due or owing to me at the time of my decease or around the ……allowance or income for the time being payable to me in respect of my ..heirs or other part or share of the estates or plantaions Hereinafter mentioned called Endraght and Mon Repos and also  all and every the household and other furniture , plate, ….. china glass books pictures paintings coins liquors and all my monies sta…. ……. And securities for …..and other my property Personal Estate and Effects of whatso ever   or description the same may be also, I give devise and bequeath unto my said dear wife Anna Hamer (subject under the loss to and charged with the payment and satisfaction of my said debts and the expenses and legacies hereinbefore mentioned and also to and with the annual sum of twelve pounds hereinafter given to Jane or Jack the daughter of the said Myretilla) all that my one third or other part or share of and in the several plantations and or estates in the Colony of Demerara in British Guiana South America with the rights and app…… the…belongings and all my estate and interest in the said plantations and estates and all principal o or other monies if any into which my said part share or interest or any part thereof shall or may be _onverted at the time of my decease to hold the same to and to the rest of my said dear wife Anna Hamer for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after the or _ease of my said wife I give devise and bequeath my said one third or other part or share and all other the premises so ___ to my said wife during her life as aforesaid unto my dear step son the Reverand William John Smithwick now residing at Torquay in the County of Devon to hold the same unto and to the ___ of the said William John Smithwick absolutely for and during the tem of his natural life subject nevertheless and charged as aforesaid and also subject to and charged with the several annual sums of twenty four pounds and one hundred pounds hereinafter mentioned and also to and with the annual sum or sums to which the said annual sum of one hundred pounds may be augmented or reduced as hereinafter provided and from and immediately after the decease of the survivor of them my said wife and stepson I give devise and bequeath my said one third or other part or share and all other the promises so given to my said wife and stepson successively during their respective lives as aforesaid unto my dear Nephew Henry Percy Hamer (son of my late brother Henry Percy Hamer deceased) to hold the same unto and to use of my said nephew Henry Percy Hamer his heirs and assigns for ____for his and their own absolute use and benefit subject nevertheless to and charged with the payment of my said debts and the before mentioned expenses and legacies and also subject to and charged with the several annual sums of twenty four pounds and one hundred pounds hereinafter mentioned and also to and with the annual sum or sums to whch the said annjual sum of one hundred and fifty

 

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Pounds may be accounted or returned as hereinafter provided and I hereby give and bequeath unto the said Jane_____ called Jack the daughter of the said Myrtilla the housekeeper and which said Jane or Jack is also and apprentice on the estate of Mon Repo for and being the joint heirs of the said Jane and Jack and of my said dear Wife Anna Hamer (if my dear wife shall survive me) one annuity or halve yearly sum of twelve pounds stirling money to commence and become payable from the day of my death and from and immediately after my decease I give unto the said Jane or Jack one annuity or a half yearly sum of twenty four pounds sterling money for and during her natural life and I direct the said several annuities or yearly sums of twelve pounds and twenty four pounds to be respectively paid half yearly with out any deduction in respect of any legacy or other duty or otherwise howsoever also I give unto the several persons next hereinafter named the several annuities or yearly sums following (and which yearly sums I will and direct shall ----------- and become payable from the day of the decease of my said wife Anna Hamer) that is to say I give unto the Reverend William Wall of Trinity Collage in Dublin and Peter Broughton of Tunstall ------ in the County of Salop Esqure their excecutors ad-ministraters and assigns during the joint lives of my dear step daughter Maria Stott wife of John Stott of the city of Dublin

Gentleman and the said William John Smithwick one annuity of or two yearly sum of one hundred pounds sterling (the same th--- to be held by the said William Wall and Peter Broughton their executors administrators and assigns upon the trust s and for the purposes hereinafter expressed ---ing the same) andI give to my dear step daughter Catherine Smithwick during the joint lives of herself and the said William John Smithwick the life annuity or ----- yearly sume of one hundred pounds stirling for the use and absolute benefit of the said Catherine Smithwick and I give to my dear step daughter Anne Ogilvie Broughton wife of the said Peter Broughton during the joint lives ot herself and the said William John Smith---- the life annuity or yearly sum of one hundred pounds stirling and I direct that the same shall be paid half yearly by the said William John Smithwick or his assigns into the proper hands of the said Anna Ogilvie Broughton for her sole separate and absolute use and benefit independent of and ind any manner or any ---- od liable to the debts ----- or interferance of her said present or any future husband --- so nevertheless that she not charge or anticipate the same annual sum or any half yearly payment thereof and I direct and declare that the rec--- of the said Anna Ogilvie Broughton at all times after the said annual sum or any half yearly payment ----of shall become due (but not before) shall alone be a good discharge to the person paying the same for the said annuity or any part thereof and I give to me said nephew Henry Percy Hamer during the joint live of himself and the said William John Smithwick the life annuity of one hundred pounds stirling for the sole and absolute benefit of him the said Henry Percy Hamer and further I give unto the said William Wall and Peter Broughton their assigns administrators and executors 

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Upon the trusts herein after expressed and unto to said Catherine Smithwick and Anna Ogilvie Broughton the several annuities or yearly sums following and I will and direct that the same shall -------- and become payable form the day of the ----- of the survivor of them my said wife and the said William john Smithwick(at which time the several yearly sums of one hundred pounds each hereinbefore given will ------ to be come payable ) that is to say I give to the said William Wall and Peter Broughton their executors administrators and assigns (upon the trusts and for the purposes hereinafter expressed -- receiving the same during the natural life of the said Maria Scott the yearly sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and I give to the said Catherine Smithwisk during her natural life the life yearly sum of one hundred and fifty pounds for her own absolute benefit and I give to the said Anna Ogilvy Broughton during her natural life the life annual sum of one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid and payable unto and for the sole separate and absolute use and benefit of her the said Anna Ogilvy Broughton in like manner in all respects as is hereinbefore directed to--ing the said annual sum of one hundred pounds hereinbefore given to her during the joint lives of herself and the said William John Smithwisk as aforesaid and it is my will and intention that the said several yearly sums of one hundred and fifty pounds each shall arise and r------- upon the termination and shall become payable in lieu of the several yearly sums of one hundred pounds each hereinbefore given to the said William Wall and Peter Broughton Catherine Smithwisk and Anna Ogilvie Broughton respectively as aforesaid and I hereby charge all the said several annual sums of twelve pounds , Twenty four pounds one hundred pounds and one hundred and fifty pounds respective when and as the ------ shall arise and become payable upon my said one third or other part or share of the said estates and premises at Demerara aforesaid and my will is to and I do hereby declare that notwithstanding the trusts here in before referred to the receipt or receipts of the said William Wall and Peter Broughton and of the survivor of them and of his executors or administrators and their or his assigns shall from time to time and at all times be a sufficient discharge to the person or persons paying or liable to pay the same for so much of the said several annual sums of one hundred pounds and one hundred and fifty pounds hereinbefore given to the said William Wall and Peter Broughton their executors administrators and assigns as shall from time to time in such receipt or receipts be expected to be ------ and shall exonerate ------- person whosoever from seeing the application or being answerable for the loss or misapplication or of --participation of thereof, and my will is and I do hereby direct that the said William Wall and Peter Broughton their executors administrators and assigns shall stand possessed of and interested in the said yearly sum of one hundred pounds hereinbefore given to them during the joint lives of the said Maria Stott and William John Smithwick to commence from the decease of my said wife as aforesaid and also of and in the said yearly sum of one hundred and fifty pounds hereinbefore given to them during life of the said Maria Scott and to commence from the decease of the survivor of them my said wife and the said William

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John Smithwick as aforesaid and also of and in the yearly sum to which the same yearly sums of on hundred pounds and one hundred and fifty pounds or either of them may be accounted? Or reduced by virtue of ____ provision or provisions in this will contained upon the trusts and for the purposes following that is to say upon trust that they the said William Wall and Peter Brougton and the survivor of them his executors and administrators and their and his assignes shall and do pay the said several yearly sums of one hundred pounds and one hundred and fifty pounds respectively from time to time when and as the same shall become payable unto and for the sole use and benefit of the said Maria Scott separate and apart from and exclusively of her present or any future husband and so they the same may not be subject or liable to his debts control or engagements and so that the said Maria Scott may not assign encumber or in any manner anticipate the (gr owing?) payments thereof and my will is and I do hereby direct and declare that the receipt and receipts of the said Maria Scott to be respectively signed by her after the (gr owing?) payments of the said respective annual sums shall become sue but not by anticipation shall from time to time and at all times notwithstanding _____________ be ____tions discharges for the same to the said William Wall and Peter Broughton or either of them their or either of their executors administrators or assigne provided always and my will is that if at any time or times during the life of the said William John Smithwick and whilst the said several annual sums of one hundred pounds each or any of them shall be or remain payable the income or allowance of six hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence per annum which I ____ receive from or in respect of my said one third part of the said plantations and estates in Demerara aforesaid shall be reduced to the annual sum of five hundred pounds sterling then and in such case I direct that the said several annual sums of one hundred pounds or ___ of them as shall __ be subsisting shall thereupon abate and be reduced to the annual sum of seventy five pounds with and be in proportion in case my said income or allowance shall be reduced to any sum below the said annual sum of five hundred pounds and further that in case my said income or allowance shall at any time or times during the period

____ aforesaid be increased to the annual sum of one thousand pounds that they the said several annual sums of one hundred pounds each shall respectively be augurated and increased to the annual sum of one hundred and twenty five pounds each and my will further is that if at any time or times after the death of the survivor of them my said wife and the said William John Smithwick and whilst the said several annual sums of one hundred and fifty pounds each or any of them shall be reduced to the annual sum of five hundred pounds sterling then and in such case I direct that the said several last mentioned annual sums or each of them as shall them be subsisting shall thereupon abate and be reduced to the annual sum of one hundred pounds each and so in proportion in case my said income or allowance shall at any time or times after the death of the survivor of them my said wife and the

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said William John Smithwick and whilst the said annual sums of one hundred and fifty pounds each or any of them shall be payable be increased to the annual sum of one thousand pounds that then the said several annuities of one hundred and fiftty pounds each shall respectively be augmented and increased to the annual sum of two hundred pounds and so in proportion in case my said income shall be increased to any sum above my said present income of six hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence aforesaid provided always and my will further is incase the said several annual sums of one hundred pounds each and one hundred and fifty pounds each respectively or any of them or any sum or sums of money to which the same or any of them may be augmented shall at anytime or times be reduced by virtue of the provisions aforesaid that then and in every such case the said William John Smithwick and Henry Percy Hamer respectively and their respective heirs execators administrators and assigns shall not nor shall any or either of them be liable to pay or make good to any person or persons whomsoever any arrears of such annual sum or sums which at the time or times of such reductions shall or may happen to be unpaid nor shall such arrears be or remain charge upon my said one third or other part or share and premises so given to the said William John Smithwick for his life and after his death and the death of my said wife to the said Henry Percy Hamer his heirs and assigns as aforesaaid but the said one third or other part and premises and also the said William John Smithwick and Henry Percy Hamer respectively and their respective heirs executors administrators and assigns shall be and be deemed absolutely and for ever released and exonerated therefrom provided also and my will further is that in case my said part or interest in the said plantations  or estates shall at any time after the death of my said wife by virtue of any trust or power now existing or hereafter to be agreed upon be sold and reverted into principal money and the annual income or interest which shall then arise or be payable in respect of my share of such money shall be less than the yearly sum of six hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence then and in such case my will is and I do hereby direct that the said several annuities herinbefore given by me whether the same shall respectively remain and be one hundred pounds per annum or one hundred anf fifty pounds per annum or shall have been reduced or augmented until the provisions herein before contained shall abate and be reduced (rateably/noteably ?) as follows(that is to say)in case my said part or interest shall be sold after the death of my said wife and during the life time of the said William John Smithwick my will is that the said annual sums or such of them as shall then be subsisting shall abate (noteably/rateably?) to such yearly sum or sums  of money as will after payment thereof leave a ___ annual surplus of two hundred pounds payable to or retainable by the said William John Smithwick out of the interest or annual produce of the principle money into which my said one third or other part or interest shall be converted as aforesaid and incase my said part or share shall be sold after the death of

7 To be continued........

 

 

Will of Anna Hamer

Anna Hamer widow of William Attwick Hamer This is the last will and testament of me Anna Hamer of Landsdowne Crescent Cheltenham in the county of Gloucester. Widow I direct my just debts funeral and testament and expenses to be paid by me Executors hereinafter named as soon as __ may be after my decease. And I direct that the legacies bequeathed by this my will shall be paid or transferred by me to the said executors within three calendar months after my decease and I give and bequeath my leasehold farm lands here situates and premises with the apart____ ____ in the Parish of Carston in the County of Devon. Also all arrears of income which shall be due to me as representative of my late husband, or in my own right arising from Estates late of my said husband in Demerara. Also one Thousand pounds three pounds per ca__ consols unto my Son the Reverend William John Swithwick for his absolute use And I bequeath the sum of Four thousand pounds. Three pounds per ca__consols to my Daughter Maria Scott for her absolute use. And I bequeath the sum of four Thousand pounds. Three pounds per cent consols to my daughter Catherine Smithwick for her absolute use And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my monies ____ funds and  ____thes for securities for money Real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or __dsoever I give devise and bequeath the same unto my said daughter Maria Scott for her absolue use and I appoint my said son William John Smithwick and my said Daughters Maria Scott and Catherine Smithwick. Executor and Executrixes of this my last will and testament I witness whereof I  ___ hereinto set my _gns the fourteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty two. Anna Hamer published and ___ by the said ____ Hamer the ___rix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time also in her presence and in the presense of each other have hereunto  ___ our names as witnesses. John Bubb Sol’s Cheltenham, Chars BubbProved at London 5th Feb 1856 before the __dye by the oaths of the Rev. William John Smitwiwick Clerk the son and Maria Scott widow and Catherine in the will written Catharine Smithwick spinster the Daughters Executors to whom ___ was granted

 

 NAMES MENTIONED IN THIS WILL:

BRAND, PAGAN, HARRISON, VAN SOMMER, CAHILL, GUY, BEAURAIN, LOWE, WRIGHT,BAILEY

PURKISS, MELHAM

Will of Henry Percy Hamer Grandson of Joseph Hamer Esq.

1809-1978

On the 16th day July 1878 the Willwith a Codicil thereto of

Henry Percy Hamer formerly of the County of Demerara in the Colony of British Guiana

But late of no 12 Dover Street Piccadilly in the County of Middlesex Esquire

Deceased, who died on the 16th day of June 1978 at No 12 Dover Street aforesaid was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of High court of Justice, by the Oath of The Reverand Thomas Braud of Fontainebleau inFrance ProtestantPasteur the Nephew of George Ausgust Beaurain of No 13 New Inn Wych Street Strand in the County of Middlesex aforesaid Clerk to Messrs Coulthurst and Van Sommer Solicitors two of the Executors named in the said Will they having been first sworn duly to administer, power being reserved of granting Probate of the said Will and Codicil to Andre Charles Racine Braud, John Braud, Arthur Braud Maria Braud spinster. Matilda Harrison wife of Henry Benjamin Harrison and Mary Fanny Pagan wife of Albert Sophie Pagan the Executors named in the said will.

 

Effects under £30,000

No Leasehold

 

I Henry Percy Hamer now of 12 Dover Street Piccadilly London formely of the County of Demara Colony of British Guiana do make this my last will & testament in manner following that is to say I direct my first debts, funeral & testamentary expenses to be paid assoon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give and bequeath tomy esteemed friend Doctor Thomas Cahill of 9 Albert Terrace Hyde Park Knightsbridge London his heirs administrators & assigns the sum of five hundred pounds sterling free of all duties I give & bequeath to John Cahill son the said Doctor Thomas Cahill & my esteemed young friend if alive at the time of death the sum of five hundred pounds sterling , both of these legacies to be paid with all convenient speed after my death. I give & bequeath to Emma Purkiss the servant who has waited on me for several years past & who is now & has been for many years past residing at 12 Dover Street Piccadilly London & who is now about to be married to a mister Melham if alive at the time of my death such a sum of money as will purchase f or her a Government life annuity of twenty pounds sterling per annum payable quarterly during her natural life which I request & direct my Executors & executrixes hereinafter named to purchase for her with such sum of money so that the first quarterly payment shall be made within six calender months after my death and I charge my personalestatewithall the above legacies I give & bequeath to the Guiana Diocesan Church Society of Georgetown Demerara British Guiana to the church of England Sunday school Institute of 34 New Bridge Street Blackfriars London to the Society called the Sunday School Union of 56 Old Bailey London one thousand pounds sterling to each to be paid with all convenient speed after my death in …... for the general purposes of the three Societies to theTreasurer or Treasurers for time being of the said respective societies & the receipt of the said respective societies shall be a good discharge for the said several legacies of one thousand pounds sterling each & I charge my personal estate with these three several legacies and as to the Residue remainders of all my personal estate & as to all my real estate subject to the paymet of the legacies hereinafter bequeathed to Thomas Brand Protestant Protestant Pasteur now residing at Fontainebleau France & toGeorge Augustus Beaurain of 13 New Inn Wych Street Strand London & of any further bequests I may at any time hereafter make by codicil or otherwise I give devise and bequeath the same in equal shares say share or shares alike as tenants in common & not as …...tenants unto Andre Charles Racine Brand. Protestant Pasteur at ….France to the said Thomas Brand as above mentioned to John Brand Engineer now engaged on the Railway in Scinde India to Arthur Brand now residing in the County of Demerara Colony of British Guiana to Maria Brand to Matilda Harrison born Brand to Mary Fanny Pagan born Brand , sons & daughters of Andre Racine & Harriet Budgin Brand His wife who are now residing at Fontainebleau France & to Henry Percy Guy son of David Wade Guy & Anna his wife (deceased)born Brand, I ake this bequest to this young person for & on account of his mother whom I should have named to receive this bequest had she been alive and I give & bequeath all my plate watches chains rings & such like articles also all my books pictures deeds letters papers wood & tin boxes book cases portmanleaus & travelling bags to Thomas Brand above mentioned & desire him not to permit anyone to see the said letters except himself & I further desire him to Burn as soon as possible after they are in his possession all such letters & papers as are not absoltely wanted I a business pointof view to carry out thisy lastwill and for this trouble I give and bequeath to the said Thomas Brandthe sum of two hundred pounds sterling to be paid to himsay one hundred pounds stertling on his proving this my last will & the remaining one hundred pounds sterling on thefinal distribution of my estate & to be paid out of my personal estate and as to the monies due me by Andre Racine Brand & Harriet Budgen Brand his wife Iforgive & cancel the same and I nominate & appoint the said Thomas Brand the said Andre Charles Racine Brand the said John Brand the said Arthur Brand the said Maria Brand the said Matilda Harrison bornBrand and the said Mary Fanny Pagan born Brand the sons & daughters of the said Andre Racine Brand & Harriet Budgen Brand his wife or the survivor of survivors of them and also George Augustus Beaurain above mentioned andto this gentleman for the trouble hemay have as Executor if he accept the executorship I give & bequeath the sum of five hundred pounds sterling two hundred pounds sterling to be paid to him on his proving this my last will & the remaining three hundred pounds sterling to be paid to him on the final distribution of my estate & to be paid out of my personal estate This bequest is exclusive ofhis professional services & expenses in connection with this my last will to be my Executors and Executrixes in trust to this my last will & testament hereby revoking all former will by me heretofore at any time made I declare this to bemy last will & testament In Witness whereof I the said Henry Percy Hamer have hereinto set my hand this tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventy six –Henry Percy Hamer – signed declared by the said Henry Percy Hamer Testator as & for his last will & testament in the presence of us being present at the same time who at his request in his presence & in the presence of each other have hereinto subscribed own names as witnesses-

W.E.R Lowe Pharmaceutical Chemist 8 Stafford St. Old Bond St. London

W.V Wright 8 Stafford St Old Bond St .LO

 

This is a Codicil to the last will & testament of me Henry Percy Hamer of 12 Dover Street Piccadilly London. Bearing date the tenth day of June One thousand eight hundred & seventy six and which I direct be taken as part thereof this saidwill I now confirm exept that part which has reference to Emma Purkiss & that part I hereby revoke and in lieu therefore I substitute the following that is to say I give & bequeath to the said Emma Purkiss now Misstress Emma Melham & residing at 12 Dover Street Piccadilly London for her sole & absolute use & benefit & quite independent of her current husband & of any future husband. She may hereafter have the sum of five hundred pounds interest or share on the capital or jointstock of the new three pounds per centum annuities forming part of the national debt of Great Britain transferableat the Bank of England together with the proportionate annuity attendingthedame this sum tobe transferred from theonies standing in my name in the said new Three pounds per centum annuities to the said Mistress Emma Melham for her sole & absolute use & benefit & quite independent of her present husband & and of any husband shemay hereafter have & forbidding her to anticipate or Divert the same an annuity for her natural life of fifty pounds sterlingmoney of Great Britain per annum. To be paid to her quarterly, the first payment to be made to her within three calendar months after my death. This annuity is to be secured to her by transferringto the names of two or more trustees for her benefit from the monies standing in my name in the new Three pounds per centum annuities forming part of the National Debt of Great Britain fransferable at the Bank of England such an amount of the said new Three pounds per centum annuities together with the proportionate annuity attending the same as will provide the said annuity of fifty pounds sterling per annum and this annuity of fifty pounds stirling payable quarterly shall be paid to her free of all charges at her residence in England whereever that may be and her receipt alone and no other shall be a good discharge for same and at her death the sum standing in the said new Three pounds per centum annuities to provide for the said annuity of fifty pounds sterling shallbe divided after bing sold out between the several membersof the Brandfamily or if any of theseare dead between their several heirs & for their absolute use & benefit namely Andre Charles Racine Brand, Thomas Brand, John Brand Arthur Brand Maria Brand Matilda Harrison born Brand Mary Fanny Pagan born Brand and Henry Percy Guy all as mentioned in my will of the tenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and seventy six in equal shares or share & alike in witness whereof I the said Henry Percy Hamer have hereinto set my hand this twenty seventhday of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight etc etc.

 

witnesses Charles henry Bailey Surgical instrament maker 16 oxford st London,

George Frederick Bailey Surgical instrament maker 16 oxford st London

 

Proved at London 16th July 1878 etc.